Help Keep the Atep Family in Bingara!

Dear community and friends

The Atep family—Petrus, Rosemary, and 4 of their children—have been proud members of our Bingara community since 2018. They are hardworking, dedicated people who contribute greatly to our town. Rosemary works in aged care and Petrus in retail, helping to fill essential labor shortages in these industries.

Their children are thriving at Bingara Central School and are also excelling in sport. Jarrod, their eldest son, is a state champion athlete who has represented our school and town in numerous competitions. 

Their other 4 older sons are also living in Australia. One recently returned to Bingara and now works for the Gwydir Shire Council, another plays for the Junior Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Unfortunately, the Atep family is facing the threat of deportation, and we need your help to prevent this from happening.

Why Are the Atep Family Facing Deportation?

In 2017, Petrus was running a car hire business in Papua New Guinea. He hired a car to a member of a different tribe, who was later involved in a fatal accident. The deceased man’s tribe demanded compensation from Petrus, and when he refused, they made violent threats against him and his family. Fearing for their lives, Petrus and his family fled to Australia on a visitor visa.

They applied for protection visas, but their claims were denied due to a lack of documentary evidence proving the threats against them. In Papua New Guinea, the police are often unable to protect individuals or investigate such threats effectively. Petrus appealed to the Appeals Review Tribunal, but his request for protection was again denied. Now, the family has been given 35 days to leave Australia.

Petrus has appealed to the Minister for Immigration, the Honourable Tony Burke, asking him to reconsider the decision and grant the Atep family the safety and protection they need.

What You Can Do to Help:

• Sign the Petition: Show your support for the Atep family by signing the petition. You can also sign it in person at the Bingara IGA.
• Share this Post: Help raise awareness by sharing this post with your friends, family, and community members. The more support we show, the stronger our message will be.
• Contact Local Representatives: Write to or call your local representatives and ask them to support the Atep family’s appeal to the Minister for Immigration. 
  To contact Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands – email: northerntablelands@parliament.nsw.gov.au
  Barnaby Joyce, Member for New England – visit:  www.barnabyjoyce.com.au/contact

The Atep family has become a cherished part of our community, and they deserve the chance to stay in Bingara where they feel safe and loved.

Let’s stand together to help them stay.